Translation and Meaning of: 邸宅 - teitaku

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about less common words, you may have come across the term 邸宅 (ていたく - teitaku). This word, which refers to a specific type of residence, carries interesting cultural and historical nuances. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is perceived in Japan, as well as tips for memorizing it correctly.

The meaning and origin of 邸宅

The word 邸宅 (ていたく) refers to a mansion or high-end residence, typically associated with wealthy families or important figures. Unlike more generic terms like 家 (いえ - ie) or 住宅 (じゅうたく - jūtaku), it evokes an image of luxury and ample space. The kanji 邸, for example, appears in words like 官邸 (かんてい - kantei), which means "official residence," reinforcing its connection with status.

Etymologically, 邸 has roots in classical Chinese, where it represented noble residences. 宅, also of Chinese origin, was used for houses in general. The combination of the two kanjis creates a sense of "respected housing," something that remains in modern usage to this day.

Cultural usage and frequency in Japan

In everyday Japanese life, 邸宅 is not a common word, precisely because it describes a specific type of property. It appears more in formal contexts, descriptions of elegant neighborhoods, or in articles about historical architecture. One example is the Den-en-chōfu neighborhood in Tokyo, known for housing various 邸宅 of executives and celebrities.

It is worth noting that, culturally, the term can carry a duality: while some see it as a symbol of success, others associate it with social disparities. This type of discussion occasionally arises in dramas or mangas that depict class conflicts.

How to memorize and differentiate 邸宅

To avoid confusion with similar words, a tip is to focus on the radicals. The kanji 邸 contains the radical ⻏ (おおざと - ōzato), related to places or territories, while 宅 has the radical 宀 (うかんむり - ukammuri), common in kanjis about constructions. Associating these elements with the idea of "spacious and important place" makes memorization easier.

Another strategy is to create flashcards with images of traditional Japanese mansions, such as those from the Meiji period, which exemplify the concept well. Platforms like Suki Nihongo offer contextual examples that help to solidify vocabulary in a natural way.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 邸 (Tei) - Residence, mansion
• 邸宅 (Teitaku) - Mansion, elegant residence
• 邸邨 (Tei-son) - Cluster of residences
• 邸宅地 (Teitaku-chi) - Mansion residential area
• 邸宅区 (Teitaku-ku) - Mansion area
• 邸宅街区 (Teitaku-gai-ku) - Neighborhood residential block
• 邸宅地区 (Teitaku-chiku) - Mansion area
• 邸宅地帯 (Teitaku-chi-tai) - Residential area
• 邸宅群 (Teitaku-gun) - Set of mansions
• 邸宅地域 (Teitaku-chi-iki) - Residential area
• 邸宅地方 (Teitaku-chi-hō) - Mansion locality

邸宅

Romaji: teitaku
Kana: ていたく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Mansion; residence

Meaning in English: mansion;residence

Definition: residence and living space. Especially beautiful houses and luxurious buildings.

Example Sentences - (邸宅) teitaku

See below some example sentences:

その邸宅はとても豪華でした。

sono teitaku wa totemo gouka deshita

That mansion was very luxurious.

The mansion was very luxurious.

• その - demonstrative pronoun "that"
• 邸宅 - noun "mansion"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 豪華 - adjective "luxurious"
• でした - verb "to be" in the polite past